Abstract
Objectives : The purposes of this study were to evaluate exhaust ventilation systems(EVSs) and to suggest problems and improvements. Methods : For 50 small and medium-sized enterprises, we carried out evaluation of EVSs. We evaluated hoods with smoke tester and measurement of capture velocity. In addition, we used several indicators for performance evaluation designed in this study. Results : 1. Based on the smoke flow pattern and the criteria of occupational health and safety act, 67.8% of hoods were rated 'good' level at smoke test whereas 26.3% were rated 'good' level at measurement of capture velocity. 2. 29.3% of hoods, of which ratio of measured actual air flow at hood(Qah) to required ideal exhaust air flow at hood(Qih) was 1 or more, were rated 'good' level. 3. The % of EVS, of which ratio of measured actual air flow at stack(Qast) to total required ideal exhaust air flow at hood(Qith) was 1 or more, was 29.0%. 4. For the ratio of measured Qast to existing air flow at fan(Qfan), only 5% of EVSs were 1 or more and 26.0% were 0.8 or more but less than 1.0. 5. For the ratio of measured Qast to total measured actual exhaust air flow at hood(Qath), 74.0% were 0.8 or more but less than 1.0. 6. The percentage of EVS, of which ratio of total measured Qath to existing Qfan was 0.8 or more, was 19.0%. 7. The percentage of EVS, of which ratio of total measured Qath to total required ideal exhaust Qith was 1 or more, was 26.0%. 8. For the comprehensive evaluation indicators designed in this study, 29.0% were 0.8 or more. Conclusions : We found that few exhaust local ventilations at small and medium-sized enterprises were rated 'good' level and that most exhaust local ventilations had 'poor' design and installation. Therefore, relevant professional manpower and enterprises have to construct exhaust local ventilation where it is needed, and technical guidance and economic support are needed to improve 'poor' exhaust local ventilation after self-evaluation.